Herrera mayoral drive gets aid from 49ers’ ‘Drive’

Former 49ers President Carmen Policy has shot off a fundraising letter for San Francisco mayoral candidate Dennis Herrera, likening his campaign to “The Drive,” the 49ers’ last-minute march down the field that won the 1989 Super Bowl.

“The Drive,” Policy writes, “was made possible because every player on that team made a contribution to its success.”

And in this case, the “team” also includes Policy’s daughter, Kathleen Policy, a lawyer who happens to work in City Attorney Herrera’s office.

Nursing nightmare: The big question in the wake of that nursing error resulting in the death of a cancer patient at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center is whether the young replacement worker who admitted responsibility will be charged with criminal negligence.

Judith Ming, 66, died Sept. 24 after the nurse, whose name has not been released, mistakenly put a nutritional supplement into an intravenous line rather than a feeding tube. The nurse was part of a temporary crew brought in to replace the Oakland hospital’s regular nurses, who first went on strike for one day and then were locked out.

The Alameda County district attorney’s office is staying mum, but we hear prosecutors are still waiting for completion of the coroner’s report and other investigative material in the next few days before deciding whether to file charges.

Even if no charges are filed, the case is almost certain to result in a lawsuit.

But, thanks to a law signed by Gov. Jerry Brownduring his first tour of duty in the capital back in 1976, California has a $250,000 cap on medical malpractice.

Mixed company: One of San Francisco sheriff candidate Ross Mirkarimi‘s big campaign volunteers is a former deputy who resigned from the department six years ago after being brought up on misconduct charges for allegedly abusing prisoners.

Edwin Palma of Napa has been making the rounds on Mirkarimi’s behalf, driving him to at least one event and appearing on stage at a July 29 fundraiser at the Ferry Building that was attended by the candidate, former Mayor Art Agnos and Supervisor David Campos.

Back in 2005, Palma and at least one other deputy were accused of abusing gay inmates at the County Jail in San Bruno.

The two inmates alleged that they had been “inappropriately touched” by their jailers and that a cell phone camera had been used to transmit tasteless pictures of at least one of the prisoners to other deputies. One prisoner said a deputy had drawn breasts on the inmate’s T-shirt.

Sheriff Michael Hennessey called in the FBI to investigate, but by time the case reached Justice Department higher-ups in Washington, Palma – whom the Sheriff’s Department had already recommended be fired – had resigned. No charges were ever filed.

Contacted last week, Palma wouldn’t discuss his dismissal.

As for his role in the Mirkarimi campaign?

“I just help people – I’m actually doing a lot of stuff in the community, volunteering to feed the poor and helping kids,” Palma said.

The response from candidate and Supervisor Mirkarimi: “I was only aware that he worked for the Sheriff’s Department.”

He said Palma had been recommended to him by former District 10 supervisor candidate Debra Walker‘s campaign, where Palma volunteered last year.

“I would never condone or tolerate unbecoming behavior,” Mirkarimi said but quickly added, “This is a sign of desperation from one of my opponents, to attack a volunteer.”

Hennessey, who has endorsed Mirkarimi to succeed him, said he did not know Palma was working on Mirkarimi’s campaign.

“That’s great,” Hennessey said – in a tone suggesting he didn’t mean it.

In the wind: A very relaxed and self-effacing Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom was back in town the other day, sharing a stage at the end of Pier 27 with Gov. Jerry Brown, Assembly Speaker John Pérez, Mayor Ed Lee and former Mayor WillieBrown.

The event was a photo op for the governor’s signing of legislation aimed at spurring private investment in the 2013 America’s Cup – while also providing a photo op for Lee’s “getting things done” campaign.

But it was Newsom who stole the show.

“A microphone. I don’t see these very often nowadays,” Newsom said, before launching into one of his statistic-filled speeches.

Midway through his comments, Newsom caught himself again. “The goal will be to get a lot more activities like this one,” he said as he pointed to a sailboat that was coasting by.

“Which,” he added, “appears to be getting a lot more attention than what I have to say.”

Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or e-mail matierandross@sfchronicle.com.